SF 287 

.A18 
Copy 1 



ACKERMAN'S 

SECRETS ^ 
REVEALED 



IS 

m 

m 

Or 

m 

m 
m 



m 
m 

m 
m 




* 

s 

to 

* 
Of 

I* 



Disclosing fiis metbods of managing ~ 

« • Uicious fiorses « * 

And Educating 

Cbe€olt and tbe Crick Borse. 



m 

m 

m 

8 



ACKERMAN'S 

SECRETS .**« 
^REVEALED. 

DISCLOSING 

His Methods of Managing 

VICIOUS HORSES, 

AND 

EDUCATING 

THE COLT^g / 
TRICK HORSE. 



3o#T7 



I > 3 

> J 5 3 3 



1897. 

WELLS PReSS. 

T0MAH,W;3. 



ackerman's 



•^ 






Entered according- to Act of Congress, in the 3*ear 1897, by 

J. E. ACKERMAN, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washing-ton. 



• « « « * • i i 






SECRETS REVEALED. 



DEDICATION- 

This book is respectfully dedicated by the 
Author to that most useful and intelligent 
friend of man, the Horse. 



ACKERMAN'S 



PREFACE. 

JN PREPARING this work for the public our aim has beeu to 
I so present to the reader the knowledge gained by forty years 
experience in this line of work, that he will thoroughly under- 
stand the nature and requirements of the horse, also to lighten 
the burdens of this noble animal so often misunderstood and 
consequently abused. 

The different devices and methods described in the following- 
pag-es are not the fanciful schemes of an idle dreamer, but the 
practical products of thoug-htful planning-, tested by repeated 
trials, and used with invariable success by 

The Author. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 



Introductory Remarks* 

77 1 HEN we reflect on the vast improvement in all branches of 
\%F the arts and sciences during- the last half a century; in the 
modern appliances of electricity, among- them the telegraph, 
bind ng- the countries of the world so closely with 
its system of communication, they seem like the individual 
members of one great family; the advantages g-ained by all 
modern machinery, facilitating- manufactures, transportation, 
and commerce; the development of photographic appliances; 
and the telescope, repealing to us thousands of startling- facts of 
which our forefathers were ignorant ; the advanced methods 
introduced in the schools of to-day, enabling- our children to keep 
pace with this spirit of modern improvement; we can but ask 
ourselves the question, " Does this interesting 1 branch of educa- 
tion to which we draw the public attention, keep pace with other 
improvements of our times ? " And we feel compelled, in all sin- 
cerity, to answer "No." The few educated horses of the land 
found within the circus tent indicate the possibilities of improve- 
ment in this line of work, but there the improvement ends. The 
larg-e majority of the horses of our land are left to develop in 
whatever direction chance shall dictate. The only branch of this 
line of work that has received any special attention from the pub- 
lic is the training- of the race horse. 

We desire here to announce that observation of the knowledg-e 
displayed by horses trained to the track first caused the train of 
thoug-ht which finally developed our system of educating- the 
horse. A certain per cent, of American people have protested 
against the practice of horse-racing, and have denounced the 
drivers, some of whom, we must admit, show a lack of judg-ment 
when driving-. While we realize that the veterans of the race- 
track, have done much toward revealing- the nature of the horse, 
and have founded the fir^t school devising* means for his mental 
advancement, we are compelled to admit that the sentiment 
aroused by the mismanagement of the few has caused others in 
the ranks of horse trainers to receive unmerited censure. This 
fact is illustrated in a laug-hable incident told by Mr. S., a noted 
American driver, at his own expense. While in California, Mr. 
S. was invited to a reception given by the leaders of society in 
the city of his sojourn. After a brief conversation with one of 
the ladies of the assembly, Mr. S. was greatly amused by her 
announcing- with a most gracious smile : 

"Why, Mr. S., had I not known you were a horse-trainer, I 
should have certainly mistaken you for a g-entleman." 



ackerman's 



That all people do not share this opinion of the horse-trainer, 
Is demonstrated by another of the fair sex, who expresses her 
opinion as follows : 

"I think a man who is capable of training- and educating- a 
horse, must possess a keen mind combined with a kind and noble 
heart." 

We can but feel grateful for sentiments like the latter from our 
critics. The\- do much to encourag-e us in a work intended to im- 
prove the condition of that most useful and much abused friend 
of man, the horse. 

We believe the studj r of the nature and management of the 
horse to be worthy of consideration from the. most keen. and intel- 
ligent minds. The knowledge-' so gained, aside from affording 
pleasure, will, sooner or later, prove a benefit to the recipient. 
In all probability, so long- as man exists in this world of ours, 
the horse will be his co-worker, and a thorough knovvledg-e of his 
nature and requirements is necessary to obtain the best results 
of his labor. 

The finest animal in the horse family is useless if improperly 
trained and made vicious by foolish and incorrect manag-ement. 
No doubt the class of people who lose most throug-h ig-norance of 
the best methods of handling- horses are the farmers. We admit 
that the idea advanced in by-g-one times to the effect that any 
ig-noramus can be a farmer, is exploded at the present day, and 
the agricultural publications, farmers' institutes and depart- 
ments of agriculture in our universities, are doing- much to im- 
prove and eniig-hten the minds of our farmers on the subject of 
land cultivation and stock raising-, but so far as we know, this 
subject we wish to bring- most forcibly before the minds of the 
farmers, is most sadly neg-lected among- the other lines of im- 
provement. The few who possess knowledge of the best methods 
for handling vicious and high-lived horses, use their information 
for their own advantage, and gather the proceeds which the far- 
mer loses through ignorance. For instance, a farmer raises a 
spirited colt, allowing him to run loose and uninstructed, until 
three or four years of age. He then tries to break his steed and 
through ignorance, fails. Finding the horse of no benefit to him 
he sells the animal for less than the actual cost of raising him. 
The professional horse-trainer, by spending a little time and 
ingenuity soon puts a horse on the market worth from four to ten 
times the amount paid the farmer. ; 

In presenting this book to the public we place within the grasp 
of > every farmer, laborer, mechanic, follower of a profession, 
school child or lady, the knowledge which will enable them to 
properly manage their own steeds. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 



Cbe three fundamental Principles of Our 
theory are: 

1st. A horse is so constituted that he will 
not offer resistance to any demand made of 
him if that demand be made in a manner con- 
sistent with the. laws of his nature. 

2nd. That he has no reasoning- powers^ 
therefore may be taug-ht a vicious habit as 
readily as a kind one. 

3rd. That the horse has no knowledg-e of 
his streng-th or powers beyond what he has 
learned by experience. : 



%&& - %z& $&& 



Directions for Breaking a Colt to Drive* 

A horse should be broken to the halter when 
but a sucking* colt and taugfht to drive in har- 
ness while about one year old. 

The bitting* rig* we consider a worse than 
useless contrivance, which should be exhibited 



ACKERMAN S 



ut the present da} T only as an instrument of 
torture, which, like the stocks and pillory were 
used by people of a past age. 

When a bitting- rig- is put on a colt and he is 
turned loose in the yard a day at a time people 
blindly imagine he is being- taug-ht to hold up 
his head and become familiar with the bit that 
he may the more readily be g-uided by it. 

In reality that colt is being- taug-ht to take the 
bit between his teeth and g*o where he pleases, 
and at the same time is having- the muscles of 
his neck weakened by the continual strained 
and unnatural position. 

When his neck grows tired of this position, 
he will try to ease it by resting- on the bit, so 
commences the habit called "lugging on the 
bit," which, if continued, will so toug-hen the 
mouth that the horse will be toug-h-bitted. 

The habits of kicking- and switching* are 
often taug-ht through effects of the bitting- rig-, 
causing irritation under the crupper strap. 

Before a bit is placed in the mouth of a colt 
he should be thoroughly broken to the halter 
and taught to trust but not fear his master, 
offering no resistance against having his feet 
picked up and handled, or having a strap 
thrown over his body and buckled around him. 

The colt should be trained in a small yard 
when first broken to the halter or bridle. 

When teaching the colt to lead with the 



SECRETS REVEALED. 



halter staid near his side and by using* the 
whip gently around his heels, make him walk 
up beside yon and not sag" back upon the halter. 

When the bridle is first put on, the lines 
should be attached and used when first start- 
ing the colt. The colt should be taught to 
be guided by the bit from one side to the other 
before he is taken from the yard to any place 
where it is possible to travel straight ahead. 

The word ''whoa," should be taught while 
training with the bridle in the yard. 

When the colt will start and stop at com- 
mand, standing quietly until bidden to start 
again, the harness can be put on one part at a 
time, buckled and removed, and fastened on 
again, until the whole harness can be put on 
and fastened, then unfastened and slid off, and 
the colt will show no signs of fear. 

When the colt has been driven quietly with 
the harness on it is time to select a vehicle for 
him to draw. Lead him to this and make 
him thoroughly acquainted with it and all its 
attendant noises ; rattle the wheels, lift the 
tongue or shafts and drop them again, lead the 
colt around and over them, lifting and rubbing 
them against him, making him grow accus- 
tomed to the feeling of them before hitching 
him to them. At this stage it is a good plan 
to place the halter, bridle and harness on the 
colt, and fasten the halter strap to the tug of 



10 AC KEK MAN'S 



a horse that is thoroughly broken and driven 
in a team. Have a separate pair of lines for 
the colt and drive him beside the other horses 
until he grows accustomed to the different 
sights of the roadwaj^. When he will travel 
this way without signs of fear, he may be 
hitched to the vehicle beside the other horse or 
hitched single and the other horse led beside 
him for a distance. 

Occasionally a high lived colt will be met 
with which calls for more cautious treatment. 
In such cases a long strap should be fastened 
around one front leg and carried back over the 
belly-girth to the hand of the driver. If the 
horse starts to run or otherwise misbehave the 
driver can pull on the strap drawing the front 
foot of the colt up to the body, and compelling 
him to go on three legs. In this position a 
fractious colt is easily managed. Sometimes, 
when a high-strung colt refuses to stand or 
be taught, one can relieve him of a large 
amount of conceit in a short space of time by 
grasping the halter in one hand, the tail of the 
colt in the other, and swinging him around in 
a circle several times, so that horse and man 
are revolving like a top for several minutes: 

In rare instances one finds a colt unusually 
vicious which must be handled with a throw- 
ing rig which is described in another chapter. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 11 

Instructions for Making and Using the 
Throwing Rig* 

After a horse has been taught a vicious 
habit, (biting*, balking-, kicking- or running 
away), through some mismanagement, and 
has gained a knowledge of his own strength, 
with which comes the idea that he is master, 
it is necessary to find some treatment that will 
thoroughly subdue him without physical in- 
jury. For this purpose we find the throwing 
rig to be the safest and most successful 
arrangement yet devised. 

This consists of a strong surcingle with a 
stout ring securely attached, a long, firm rope 
and a strap 'with a buckle fastened to one end. 
Prepare a soft bed of sawdust, straw or plowed 
ground to work on. Fasten the surcingle 
loosely around the horse with the ring just 
over the back-bone ; strap up his left 
front foot; tie the rope around the neck, then 
pass it throug'h the mouth from left to right, 
and back through the ring in the surcingle. 
In rare cases it may be necessary to choke the 
animal with a slip -noose around his neck until 
he lies down before this rigging can be adjust- 
ed. Always work with caution, showing no 
sign of fear, but standing close to the horse 
and keeping out of range of his heels. When 
the rig is adjusted stand well away from the 



ackkkman's 



horse, toward the left, and pull on the rope. 
A slight pull with one hand is sufficient. This 
will twist the horse's head around to the right. 
The horse through being* deprived of the use 
of his left foot cannot brace himself but will 
fall on his left side. Allow him to arise and 
throw him again, repeating until he is thor- 
oughly conquered and lies passive and sub- 
dued. Then walk around him, sit down on 
him, put } T our feet on him, handle his feet, run 
a light vehicle over him, place the thills on 
his body and let the ends of them push against 
him, throwing- him with the rig* whenever he 
attempts to rise, until he grows accustomed to 
3'our presence, and thinks any movement you 
may make must be accepted without protest 
from him. When the horse is once under 
control do not manifest your authority by bru- 
tal treatment, but give evidence of your 
approval of his present submissive condition 
by a caress for every quiet acceptance of a new 
treatment. From this on the treatment should 
be adapted to the cure of the particular offense 
of which the animal has been guilty. 

To teach a horse to immediately obey the 
word k, whoa," allow him to partly rise and 
speak the word c, whoa," at the same time 
throw bim. Continue this treatment until the 
horse will stop at the word of command when 
half way on his feet. When this is thoroughly 



SECRETS REVEALED. 13 

taught the horse may be depended on to obey 
the word "whoa" in anyplace or position. 

Another device for teaching- "whoa "to a 
runaway horse is the double wire bit. The 
jerk on the bit should be simultaneous with 
the command, "whoa." 

If the treatment is for the kicking- habit, 
allow the horse to rise, then run a cart 
ag-ainst his heels, or crowd the thills around 
between his hind leg's, and when he offers to 
kick, throw him. If the horse takes frig-ht at 
sight of any particular object and runs away, 
bring the article and place it on or near him, 
and +hrow him if he starts to run. If noises 
cause his fright, make a commotion by throw- 
ing a basket of tin cans behind him, calling 
"whoa," and throwing him if he refuses to 
obey and starts to run. 

After the balking horse has been subdued 
by the throwing rig, he should be driven first 
with only a harness on. The master should 
stand where he can tap the front leg between 
the knee and fetlock with a stick, commanding 
the horse to go by using some word or noise 
which has never been spoken to him while 
balky. "Come, boy," "stead}', girl," are 
usually valuable expressions. After the horse 
has taken a few steps stop him and start again, 
repeating several times. Then hitch to some 
light vehicle and drive him. Gradually 



14 AC KKK MAN'S 



increase the load until the horse will pull to 
the extent of his strength. 

The W. 

This contrivance may be used instead of the 
throwing* rig- for breaking vicious horses or 
high lived colts. 

The W is made as follows: Adjust a sur- 
cingle with three, rings fastened to it about 
five inches apart, so that when the center ring 
is directly under the center of the bodj T the 
other rings are 'five inches from it, one to the 
right the other to the left. Similar rings are 
fastened to each front f Jot by means of a 
strong strap buckled through the ling & arcurd 
the leg. Securely fasten a long rope to the 
left ring on the surcingle, then put the rope 
through the ring on the left foot and back 
through the center ring of the surcingle, then 
through the ring on the right foot, and back 
through the right ring of the surcingle. The 
long end of the rope should then be carried 
back to the driver. 

The length of the horse's step can be regu- 
lated by tightening or loosening the rope, and 
if the horse starts to run he can be broug-ht to 
his knees by a sudden tightening of the rope. 
The command, u whoa," should be given when 
the rope is tightened. The horse will have an 
idea it is the word that compels him to stop, 



SECRETS REVEALED. 15 



and will soon learn to obey this command 
without the W. 

The Kicking Rig* 

A rig to prevent the horse from kicking in the 
shafts is made as follows : Place the center of a 
rope through the horse's mouth and carry the 
ends up through rings fastened to the bridle near 
each ear, then back through a ring fastened 
to the top of the harness just over the hips, 
and down on their respective sides to the 
shafts and fastened there. 

If a horse attempts to kick while wearing 
this rig his head will be raised by the rope and 
the horse thus prevented from kicking high 
enough to cause damage. 

The Muzzle for Biters and Cribbers* 

Make a muzzle that will fit the horse's nose 
out of two straps of band iron fastened togeth- 
er by two steel rods bent in a semi-elliptic 
form, the ends fastened about two and one- 
half inches apart, to the iron bands with riv- 
ets. When placed the center of the steel bands 
will pass in front of the horse's mouth. The 
two and one-half inch space between the rods 
will allow ample room for the horse to pick up 
his feed with his lips, but the rods will prevent 
his biting or cribbing. 



ackkkman's 



Instructions for Breaking Horses of Pulling 

on the Halter* 

1 This habit can be cured in a barn by fasten- 
ing* a heavy weight to a long rope, leaving 
the weight outside carrying the rope through 
a hole in the upper floor just over the manger 
then through the hitching ring and fasten to 
the halter strap. Arrange so that when the 
weight is resting on the ground the horse's 
head is held near the manger. When he 
backs the rope will lift the weight and the 
horse will back as far as possible lifting the 
weight with the rope. When the horse be- 
comes tired of holding the weight, he will 
start forward and the weight will pull him 
toward the manger faster than he expects to 
come. Most horses soon tire of this exercise. 

2. Another way is to run the halter strap 
through the hithcing ring and tie it around 
the horse's front leg. 

3. Should the former methods fail one more 
severe may be tried as follows: 

Tie a rope loosely around the horse's neck, 
run the rope through the horse's mouth and 
back under the rope on the neck; then tie the 
end of the rope to a post. When the horse 
backs the rope will draw on his mouth. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 17 

Directions for Breaking a Saddle Horse* 

Beg-in by placing- your hands on the horse's 
back and jumping* up beside him. When he 
allows this without sign of surprise jump on 
his back lying crossways, with your face 
downward a second, then off again. Soon you 
can mount the horse properly, remaining on 
his back a short time. Continue to mount 
until the horse becomes thoroughly accustomed 
to your weight on his back. Then start him. 
When he will carry you quietly put the saddle 
on him, and when thoroughly used to a man's 
saddle substitute a side-saddle if the horse is to 
be ridden by a lady. A horse can be taught 
to stop when the rider falls by using the jockey 
rope; a rope tied loosely around the horse's 
neck, one end carried through the mouth and 
back through loop. Place a dummy on the 
horse's back and pull it off with a rope while 
the horse is traveling; at the same time jerk 
the jockey rope and the horse will stop. Caress 
him and repeat until he will stop when the 
dummy or person on his back starts to slide off. 

Directions for Handling Horse's Feet* 

Almost every blacksmith will say when you 
pick up the foot of a young horse: " Don't let 
go, but struggle with him until he gives up." 

We believe in proceeding differently. Begin 
by rubbing your hand down the horse's leg and 



IS ACKER MAN S 



lifting bis foot by the fetlock letting* go when 
the horse protests, and repeating- until he sub- 
mits and allows his foot to be held without 
protest. Tap the bottom of the foot with your 
hand, then with a hammer, and in a very short 
time a shoe can be put on the colt without 
causing- him any uneasiness. 

Directions for Distinguishing a horse's Age* 

Many horsemen claim they can tell the exact 
age of a horse by the shape of the cups in the 
teeth. This theory we have repeatedly proven 
false by exhibiting- four or five registered ani- 
mals of the same ag*e which when judg-ed by 
the cups would be considered some two or three 
years younger and others as much older than 
the correct ag-e. . The difference in the kinds 
of feed used, and the quality of the. teeth, 
causes the cups to wear off sooner in some 
than others. People applying- this test are 
often deceived by horse-dealers who burn cups 
into the teeth of old horses. A horse at the 
ag-e of five years has his full set of permanent 
teeth which at this ag*e are nearly the same 
width at the root as at the top of the crown. 
As the horse grows older the teeth gradually 
decrease in size at the root until at the ag-e of 
twenty years the teeth will be almost V shap- 
ed. By g-etting- the comparative width of the 



SECRETS REVEALED. 19 

teeth of several horses of known age one can 
soon learn to make a more correct estimate of 
the age of a horse than by any other method. 

The Principal Causes of Vicious Habits 
in Horses* 

Many people have an idea a horse's habits 
are formed in direct accord with his inherent 
disposition, and are but the outward manifes- 
tations of his mental inclination. This idea 
is a false one. 

We will admit that owing* to the diversity 
in the disposition of horses some will learn a 
vicious habit more readily, and cling- to it more 
tenaciously than others, but this does not alter 
the fact that in the beginning- the habit was 
taught the horse by some thoughtless action 
of the master. 

We often hear people say this or that horse 
was naturally a biter or kicker. They then 
proceed to tell how when a little colt he would 
kick or bite if teased or annoyed accidentally 
or purposely. The fact that these animals 
learned their habits when quite young does not 
disprove the theory that the habit was not 
inherited but learned as any older horse will 
learn his tricks. 

Nature has provided the horse as well as 
other animals with weapons of self defense and 



|0 ackekman's 



the most mild and docile representative of his 
race will use these weapons if aroused to a 
furious and excited condition. 

Colts are often taught to kick, balk or run 
by improper management while being- broken 
to drive. For instance, you hitch a high lived 
colt to the wag-on before getting- him accus- 
tomed to the sound of the wag-on or the motion 
of the tong-ue and harness ag-ainst his body. 
The colt becomes frig-htened and kicks; you 
immediately unhitch him and rushing to him, 
make endeavors to soothe him with caresses. 
Now you have fulfilled all the requirements for 
teaching }^our horse the kicking trick. 

There are many ways to teach the habit of 
biting to a horse. Any action near the head 
which startles or hurts him ; putting strong 
liniment or a collar on to a sore neck; careless 
using of the curry-comb; throwing cold har- 
ness or straps over the horse in winter; or any 
other equally startling action may cause the 
horse to snap at one. If this action goes 
unnoticed the repetition will come a little more 
forcibly each time until the horse learns to 
bite. If punished severely the horse will fight 
back and so learn some other bad habit. The 
best way is to give sign of disapproval with a 
sharp word and a slap with the flat of the 
hand at the first offense. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 21 

If space permitted we could enumerate a hun- 
dred thoughtless actions of the driver which 
would teach a horse to balk. Whenever the 
driver urg*es his horse forward, knowing* that 
it is impossible for the horse to move forward, 
he is teaching* this habit. When if urging* a 
horse through a sloug*h or mud hole, it becomes 
apparent to you he can move no further, say 
"whoa," and thoug*h the horse stops from 
necessity, he will retain the idea it was in 
obedience to the command. This same method 
will apply to horses in many other circum- 
stances one of which we can mention in mov- 
ing* building's, where the horses can pull but a 
short distance at a time, the command "whoa," 
should never be omitted when the horse has 
pulled as far as possible. 



Hi \fc VI) 
# | & 



ackerman's 



Remarks on training the Crick fiorse* 

PT\ ANY People have an idea that the horse 
must be thoroughl} 7 conquered before he 
can be trained, and the} 7 think this must be 
accomplished by the use of brute force or the 
whip. Others imagine the successful horse- 
trainer has some mesmeric influence over the 
mind of the horse which compels him to obey 
while under its influence. Still others think 
horse-trainers use some kind of drug* which 
causes a stupid condition in wliich the horse 
will be obedient to man. 

These theories we believe to be false. The 
only treatment we advise for correcting* a horse 
is an occasional slap with the flat of the hand, 
or a sharp word or crack of the whip, to com- 
mand attention. An occasional g*entle prick 
with pencil or sharpened stick, to indicate the 
desired motion, is useful in educating* the 
trick horse. 

The only so-called mesmeric influence ex- 
erted is through the medium of the voice which 
should be carefully trained, for the horse soon 
learns to notice and distinguish the different 
words and expressions used, and will often 



SECRETS REVEALED. 23 

divine the meaning* of the trainer, acting* as 
desired, throug-h knowledge of the word spoken 
and the manner of speaking*. 

The most powerful cordial that may be used 
in training* the horse is the all powerful caress. 
This should be administered without stint, 
not moderate^, but freely, and never omitted 
when the horse has g*ained a desired point. 

Above all, use self control; control yourself, 
your temper, your voice, your motions, your 
manner, and then you can control your horse. 
Should the horse lose his self control and be- 
come confused, do not attempt compelling* him 
to continue with the lesson, but wait until 
composure is restored and then start the lesson 
a little differently or in another location. 

When kindness and firmness are used in the 
management of a horse he will soon develop a 
surprising* aptness to learn. 

As an illustration of the truth of this state- 
ment we will relate an instance which occurred 
during* the training* of Jerry, the Trick Horse: 

The trick of opening* a box and bringing* a 
handkerchief had been taug*ht as directed in 
the book. Standing* six feet from the box, 
without using* any motions, but by simply 
talking* to Jerry, we were successful in induc- 
ing* him to walk to the box and close it within 
five minutes of the time he opened it. 

He always repeats this trick with- 
out further training* when . command- 



24 ackerman's 



ed. We taught him to roll the barrel in the 
same way. This method should not be tried, 
however, until the horse has been taug*ht to 
perform several tricks as directed, and has 
grasped the idea that when talking- to him you 
want him to perform some trick. 

Our essential point is g-ained in the educa- 
tion of the trick horse when his confidence is 
secured and he realizes that cruel punishment 
will not follow a mistake, but success will 
meet with a sure reward. 

Trick No* U — Teaching the Horse to Say No* 

Stand near the left shoulder with a sharp- 
ened lead pencil in your right hand. Ask the 
horse any simple question which calls for a 
neg-ative answer, (No.) At the same time 
prick him lig*htly on the side of the neck near 
the top with the pencil point. As soon as he 
shakes his head, even slig\htly, caress him 
gently on the neck. Repeat this until you can 
omit the pricking* and the horse will shake his 
head in answer to any question you may ask 
him while standing* in this position. 

Trick No* 2* — Teaching the Horse to Paw* 

Stand on the left of the horse w r ith your body 
slightly stooped, prick on the side of the fore 
leg* until the horse raises his foot and sets it 
down. Then caress him to show your approval. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 25 

When he has learned to paw, you may ask 
a question, like. " What is your age?" "How 
many are 2x2 ?" and continue the pricking- un- 
til he paws as many times as you wish. Then 
straighten your body and caress him. 

After a few lessons if you make your request 
while standing in this slightly stooped posi- 
tion the horse will commence pawing without 
the use of the pencil, and continue until you 
straighten and caress him. 

Trick No* 3 — Teaching the Horse to say u Yes/' 

Stand on the left of horse near the center of 
his body, with a sharpened lead pencil in the 
right hand. Ask the horse any simple ques- 
tion which calls for an affirmative answer, 
("Yes,") as "Do you like oats?" At the 
same time prick him lightly on the center of 
back with the pencil. When he nods his head 
even slightly, caress him gently on the side. 
Repeat this until you can omit the pricking 
and the horse will nod his head in answer to 
any question you may ask him while standing 
in this position. Other methods may be used 
if preferred; pricking on the breast or switch- 
ing a whip gently in front of the horse's nose 
to make him raise his head. These methods 
will also teach the horse to make a bow if in- 
stead of asking a question you tell him to 
make a bow. 



ACKKKMAN S 



Trick No* 4* — Teaching the Hoise to Yawn* 
Steady the horse's head by placing- the left 
hand on his nose. Reach the other hand 
beneath the under jaw and with the end of the 
ringers press his cheek between the grinders 
in such a manner that he opens his mouth. 
Then caress him. Soon he will yawn when 
you reach beneath his head and pat the oppo- 
site jaw. Then caress on the neck and the 
horse will soon learn to continue g-aping*, shut- 
ting* his eyes and stretching- his head down- 
ward as though very tired and sleepy. You 
may vary the trick by asking- how persons act 
after being- at the ball. 

Trick No* 5* — Teaching a Hoise to Stand with 
the Front Feet on a Box* 

Lead the horse to a box about one foot hig-h 
and lift one fore foot on to the box holding- it 
there until he will leave it quietly. Then, 
holding- the bridle, tell the horse to g-et up on 
the box. When he will mount with both feet 
caress him. 

Trick No* 6* — Teaching a Horse to Stand on 
Three Feet* 

Tap with a stick on one front foot until the 
horse raises it from the ground. Then caress 
him. In a short time he will raise one foot 
when commanded. This trick may be enlarg-ed 



SECRETS REVEALED. 27 

upon when it is thoroughly learned by making* 
the horse stand on a box or chair with the 
front feet and then raise one of them. 

Trick No* 7* — Teaching: a Horse to Kick* 

Stand near the hind leg* and prick the horse 
g*ently near the top of the leg*. When he kicks 
caress him and repeat. Soon he will kick at 
word of command. If the horse taps your leg* 
give your approval then direct him to kick you. 
Should you want him to kick with both feet 
prick him oqthe hips. 

Trick No* 8*— Teaching a Horse to Bite* 

Stand on the left of the horse near his neck 
with your left arm inclined toward his mouth. 
Prick him on the front shoulder with a horse- 
shoe nail, giving* the command, u Bite me," 
and he will turn and bite your arm. Then 
caress him. After a time he will learn the 
word "bite," and will bite when commanded. 

Trick No* 9* — Teaching* the Horse to Kiss* 

Place the rig-ht hand under the horse's jaw 
and raise his head until his lips rest on your 
cheek. Rub the nose on your cheek in such a 
manner the lips move, saying* to the horse : 
" Kiss me." Soon the horse will learn to raise 
his head and move his lips on your cheek when 
bidden to kiss yon. Always caress afterward, 
as a sig-n of your approval. 



28 AC KEK MAN'S 



Trick No. JO. -Teaching a Horse to Leave 
Oats Untouched. 

Place a dish of oats on a chair or some other 
object of about the same height, in front of 
the horse, and tell him "You musn't eeit those 
oats; there's poison in them. 1 ' Stand near and 
if he reaches toward them tap him gently on 
the nose with } r our whip. He will soon learn 
to take no notice of them. Walk away, watch- 
ing*, and if the horse offers to touch them, 
speak sharply, cracking- the whip at the same 
time. 

You may vary this trick b} r picking up the 
dish and saying, ' 'There are a few oats on top 
that are not poison." The horse will soon 
learn that while you hold the dish he can eat. 
Then replace the dish forbidding him to eat 
more. 

When thoroughly broken the horse will 
leave the oats untouched several hours unless 
told to eat them. 

Trick No. JJ.— Teaching the Horse to Follow. 

Take the horse into a box-stall or small 
room, without bridle or halter, and use only a 
long whip. Place the horse with the right 
side toward the wall and stand on the left near 
the head. Start to walk around the inclosure 
saying, "Come here," and at the same time 
tap the horse gently on the heels, with the 



SECRETS REVEALED. 29 

whip which is held in the left hand. This 
will start him to follow you. When a few 
steps are taken, saj 7 "whoa," stop the horse 
and caress. Start again, gradually work away 
from the wall and the horse will learn to fol- 
low you anywhere. If the horse turns his 
head from you, make a disturbance behind him 
with the long- whip until he turns toward you, 
then caress him. Try to teach the horse that 
when near you nothing* will harm him. 

Another way is to tie a rope loosely around 
the horse's neck, then carry the end of rope 
throug-h the mouth and back throug-h the loop 
on the neck. Stand about six feet to one side 
of the horse, with the end of the rope in your 
hands; call "come here," and at the same time 
jerk on the rope. The horse will come. Then 
caress him and repeat a few times until he 
will start when commanded without the pull. 
Remove rope and repeat the command and the 
horse will come. 

Trick No* \ 2*— Teaching the Horse to Come From a Dis- 
tance When Commanded* 

Lead the horse to a corner of yard or room 
and make him stand with his head in the cor- 
ner and rig-ht side near the wall. Stand about 
four feet away on the left side with the whip. 
Give the command, "Come here"; at the same 
time tap the horse's heels with the whip. This 



30 ackerman's 



will start him toward you. Then caress him, 
load to the corner again and, standing* a few 
feet further away, repeat, always caressing* 
the horse when he comes toward you. When 
the horse will come at command without the 
use of the whip, work gradually farther away. 
By this method you can teach the horse soon, 
to come when you stand several rods awa}^. 

Trick No* \3.— Teaching a Horse to Balk with Halter. 
Place the halter on the horse and step di- 
rectly in front of him with halter strap in left 
hand. Hold your rig*ht hand in front of the 
horse's nose, pull the strap g*ently with your 
left hand, sa} T ing*, "come here," at same time 
tap the end of the nose with the fing*ers of the 
rig-ht hand to keep him from starting-. When 
you can pull g-ently on the halter without 
starting- the horse, caress him. With each 
repetition increase the force of the command 
and streng-then the pull on halter. After a 
few moments training- with this method, you 
can shout "come here," and pull like an angry 
man trying- to start a balky horse, and the 
horse will refuse to move. When ready for 
the horse to start, step to the left of his head 
and caress his neck; then turning- with 3^our 
back toward the horse, start to the left in a 
circle saying*, "Come and I'll give you some 
oats." The horse will follow. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 



31 



Trick No* J 4, -Teaching the Horse to Tip a Chair Oven 
Place-a kitchen chair in front and a little to 
one side of the horse with the open-work back 
toward him. Reach your hand grasping- an 
apple, potato or other treat throug-h the chair 
back toward the horse. When he tries to eat 
it, withdraw your hand to front of chair back, 
saying, "Tip the chair over.*' He will crowd 
the chair back over to reach the apple, which 
you move further from him until he tips the 
chair forward onto the floor. Then give him 
the apple and a caress. After the horse learns 
this, you may stand with the lunch in your 
hand and the horse will be likely to overturn 
the chair without command and so obtain the 
lunch. When this trick is thoroughly learned 
the horse will tip a chair over at word of com- 
mand. 

Trick No* \5— Teaching the Horse to Play Watch-Dog* 
Stand on one side of the horse with a sharp- 
ened stick about two feet long- in your hand. 
Say to the horse "Watch me." Have some ac- 
tive boy or man come toward you walking- 
where the horse can easily reach him. As 
soon as he is near prick the horse with the 
stick repeating- "watch me,' 1 and when he 
starts to bite have the boy jump away and act 
afraid. Then caress the horse and repeat until 
the trick is learned. The horse will take read- 



ACKERMAN'S 



ilv to this and will start for the boy whenever 
he comes toward you, after the command 
"watch me," has been given. Then if the 
boy runs in a circle around you the horse will 
follow and attempt to bite him. 

'Tis necessary to exercise great care in per- 
forming* this trick to prevent the horse from 
actuall} 7 biting-. 

Trick No, J 6— Teaching the Horse to Lie Down* 

Choose a soft bed of straw, sawdust or 
plowed ground. Buckle a surcingle around 
the horse loosely. Fasten up the left forefoot 
by winding- a strap once around the ankle, 
leaving- the buckle on the outside. Then raise 
the foot until it lies ag-ainst the leg-. Run the 
strap over the arm of the leg- and down to the 
buckle, buckling- in such a way that the foot 
will be held tig-htly ag-ainst the leg. Fasten 
another strap around the rig-ht ankle and run 
this strap throug-h the surcing-le. Standing 
on the left of horse take this strap in right 
hand. Then grasping the bridle near the 
mouth with the left hand push the horse's 
head to one side. This will cause him to lift 
his foot from the ground. As soon as the foot 
is raised pull on the strap, thus bringing the 
horse to his knees. 

Hold the strap firmly and keep the foot 



SECRETS REVEALED. 33 

drawn tightly against the surcingle until the 
horse ceases to struggle. Then holding* the 
strap tight in the right hand, reach the left 
hand over the neck, grasp the bridle and draw 
the head gently to the rig-ht, giving- the com- 
mand, 4t Lie down." At the same time crowd 
your body g-ently ag-ainst the left side of the 
horse. He will incline his body toward yours, 
enabling* you to ease him g-ently down to a 
lying- position. Then caress him g-ently. 

After repeating this several times strap up 
the left foot and leave the rig-ht foot free. By 
tapping lightly on the fore leg and giving the 
command, you can make the horse lie down. 
Then leave both feet free and tap on the front 
legs or on the soft bed, giving the command, 
"Lie down," and caressing when the horse 
obeys. Continue this treatment until the 
horse will lie down at the word of command. 

Trick No* \ 7*— Teaching the Horse to Bring a 
Handkerchief* 

Stand on the left of the horse with a horse- 
shoe nail, and a handkerchief held by one cor- 
ner, in your right hand. Throw your right 
arm over the horse's back and prick or scratch 
his side with the nail until he will bite toward 
the nail and take hold of the handkerchief 
with his teeth. The horse may not do this 
readily but by repeated efforts you will succeed 



34 ACKERMAN S 



in making* him take the handkerchief in his 
mouth. Caress whenever he will touch the 
handkerchief with his nose. When the horse 
will take the handkerchief from his side you 
can hold it by degrees further toward the floor 
making* him take it from } r our hand, finally 
throwing* it on the floor commanding* him to 
pick it up. When he will do this, work it 
gradually further from him until you can 
throw it across the floor and he will bring* it at 
your command. 

Trick No* J 8* — Teaching the Horse to Remove Your Hat* 

Hold the hat in your left hand where the 
horse can reach it by turning* his head toward 
you. Direct him to "Take the hat," at the 
same time touch his side with your thumb. 
As soon as he will do this caress him, then 
place the hat on your head and incline your 
head until he can reach the hat. Say '" Take 
off the hat," touching* with the thumb as 
before, and caressing* when he obeys. 

When this is thoroughly learned the horse 
may easily be taug*ht to take the hats from 
others' heads at your command. 

Trick No* 19*— Teaching a Horse to Waken You* 

Try this after the horse knows several other 
tricks. Sit in a chair in a reclining* position 
near the horse's head, with a few oats held in 



SECRETS REVEALED. 35 

hand near your knee. Let the horse find the 
oats, then close your hand and say to him: 
' 'Wake me up." He will bite your hand. 
Then reward him with a taste of oats and a 
caress. When he does this readily move away 
and repeat the command placing- the hand 
containing* oats beneath your knee in such a 
position he cannot reach it. He will then bite 
your knee. Reward with oats and a caress. 
Soon you may sit in this position without the 
oats, with the hands placed behind the back, 
and one knee over the other. Say to the horse: 
*' If I fall asleep wake me in time for the train." 
Then close your eyes. Soon the horse will 
bite your knee. Always caress him when a 
new point is g*ained. 

Trick No* 20 —Teaching the Horse to Roll the Barrel* 
Place a barrel on its side in front of the 
horse. Put a few oats in a long-, narrow dish 
and set well under the projecting- side of the 
barrel. The horse, in trying- to reach the oats, 
will crowd ag*ainst the barrel and roll it along*. 
Give your approval with a caress and the horse 
will soon learn to roll the barrel without the 
oats. 

Trick No* 2 \ —Teaching the Horse to Stand the Barrel on End* 

Place a barrel from which one end has been 

removed, on the floor with the open end toward 

the horse. Hold a basin containing- a few oats 



36 ackerman's 



beneath the upper side of the barrel rim in 
such a way the horse will throw the barrel 
upon end with his nose to get at the oats. 
When successful, give sign of your approval 
with a caress, and soon the horse will stand 
the barrel up without the use of oats. 

Trick No, 22,— Teaching the Horse to Stand With All 
Four Feet Stretched Out. 

Stand near the horse on one side and with 
your toe lift the horse's front foot that is far- 
thest back, and set it ahead one step. Bring 
the other foot ahead in the same way. Then 
caress and back both feet one step. On the 
second tsial bring both feet forward two steps 
and back. Increase the distance gradually 
until the horse's front feet are both stretched 
as far out as possible. If he starts forward 
with the hind feet back him quickly and start 
again. He will soon learn to hold the hind 
feet stationary during this trick. Don't for- 
get the caress for every step correctly taken. 

Trick No, 23*— Teaching the Horse to Stand With All 
Four Feet Together, 

Stand near the horse's neck and with your 
toe tap the foot farthest forward. When this 
is raised push it back one step with your foot. 
Repeat with the other foot, then allow the 
horse to resume first position and caress him. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 37 

On the second trial crowd both front feet a 
little further back without allowing- the hind 
feet to move. Do not omit the caress for 
even 7 step correctly taken. Gradually increase 
the number of steps taken until the horse is 
taught to balance several minutes with all four 
feet nearly if not quite tog-ether. 

Trick No* 24* —Teaching the Horse to Stand with His 
Hind Legs Grossed* 

Place a chair near the left hind leg* of horse. 
Bend the right hind leg back of the left one 
and place the horse's foot on the chair seat. 
Hold it there with your hand until the horse 
learns to retain the position after the hand is 
removed. Then caress him. By taking- the 
foot from the chair and sliding- it downward on 
the outside of the left leg you can make him 
stand with the legs crossed. 

Trick No* 25* -Teaching a Horse to Stand on a Plank 
and Teeter* 

Lay a wide plank, about twelve feet long, on 
the floor and teach the horse to walk it with- 
out stepping off . Then place the plank on a 
block about one foot thick, which is rounding 
on the upper side and flat on the lower, in such 
a way that the plank will just over-balance, 
and one end will rest on the floor. Have the 
horse walk up the plank until his weight will 
change the balance and tip the other end of 



ACKKRMAN S 



plank downward. Stand near the horse's head 
and move the whip up and down beneath his 
chin. This will make him raise his head and 
throw the weight of his body to the other end 
of plank, thus tipping- the plank to its first 
position. Then withdraw the whip and the 
horse will lower his head changing- the bal- 
ance ag-ain. Alwa} T s caress the horse when 
he g-ains a point in this trick and he will soon 
learn to teeter on a plank. 

Trick No* 26* — Teaching the Horse to Climb Stairs* 

Select a flight of steps well g-uarded and 
strong*. Place the front feet of the horse on 
the first step, then back him down and caress. 
On the second trial make the horse step on the 
first and second steps and back ag-ain. On the 
third trial the horse should mount three steps 
with the front feet and return. When the 
horse will mount four steps with the front feet 
have him bring- the hind feet on to the first 
step. Back the horse down and caress. 

When the horse will mount to the second 
step with the hind feet and back quietly, the 
trick is learned and the horse will mount a 
long* flig-ht of stairs if carefully manag-ed. 

By this method Jerry, the Trick Horse, was 
taught in Tomah Armory to mount his first 
flig-ht of stairs, more than fifteen feet high, 
in less than five minutes. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 39 

Trick No* 27*— Teaching the Horse to Open the Box* 

Make a box about 18 in. long* by 10 in. wide 
and 3 in. deep. Use a cover which projects 
over the front of the box about ^ in. and fas- 
ten on with hinges. Secure this box to a 
standard distanced about 2Vz ft. from the floor. 
Open the box and place a few oats or other 
feed inside. When the horse starts to eat close 
the lid until it rests against his nose. He will 
throw it back. Then gradually crowd the lid 
tighter against the nose allowing the horse to 
tip it back occasionally until you crowd his 
nose from the box, and completely close the 
lid. The horse will soon place his nose against 
the projecting lid and raise it. Then caress 
him. Repeat the words, "Open the box," 
during this performance and he will soon learn 
to open the box without feed when command- 
ed. Always caress when well done. 

Trick No* 28*— Teaching the Horse to Close the Box* 

Place a standard behind the box in such a 
manner that it will hold the cover at an angle. 
If the horse will not shut the box with simply 
a command, hold an apple behind the box and 
under the cover in such a position that when 
he tries to reach it he will push the lid and 
close the box. Always caress when the horse 
succeeds. 



40 ackerman's 



Trick No* 29. -Teaching the Horse to Strike Your Foot* 
After teaching* the horse to paw, by follow- 
ing directio is for Trick No. 2, place your foot 
about 12 in. ahead of the one he paws with, 
and a little to one side. Direct him, " Strike 
my foot," and make him continue pawing- un- 
til he touches your foot, then caress him. 

When he will do this readily, move your foot 
gradually further to one side, and with 
patience you can teach him to strike it any- 
where within his reach. 

Trick No. 30 —Teaching the Horse to Untie a 
Handkerchief from his Leg* 

Fasten a handkerchief around the front leg* 
just above the knee, by tieing- one knot, and 
that a bow-knot, with the loop downward, and 
the end lying- out in such a manner that the 
horse can easily catchJiold of it with his teeth. 
Direct him to untie the handkerchief, and if 
he refuses prick his leg* just above the hand- 
kerchief. After learning* Trick No. 17, he 
will learn this readily. 

Caress him when successful. 

Trick No. 3 J —Teaching a Horse to Pick Up a 
Package, Bridle or Whip. 

The horse will learn this trick readily after 

No. 17 is taug-ht. Tie up a small packag-e of 

papers and throw instead of the handkerchief, 

commanding the horse to bring- it. Always 



SECRETS REVEALED. 41 

caress when obedient. These directions, if 
followed, will teach him to bring* other arti- 
cles, halter, whip, etc. 

Trick No* 32 —Teaching the Horse to Change Positions 
From One Side of Trainer to the Other* 

First teach Trick No. 11. Have the horse 
follow you a short distance, then turn slowly, 
saying-: " Come around to the other side," turn- 
ing- the horse until he is headed toward the 
starting-point. Then stop and caress him. 

Walk with the horse's head slightly in ad- 
vance of your body and hold the whip beneath 
his neck in such a manner that you can incline 
the further end upward and g-uide the head 
around when making- the turn. Return with 
the horse to first starting point and turn there 
giving the same command, and stopping- to 
caress the horse when he has turned. Be 
careful to always make turn at the same point. 
When the horse does this well, stop before 
making- the turn, turn your back toward the 
horse's head, and repeat: "Come around on 
the other side." After a short time he will 
perform this trick in any place. 

Trick No* 33*— Teaching a Horse to Pose, With One Foot 

on a Chair Seat, the Other on a Chair Back* 

Follow directions for Trick No. 5, teaching- 

the horse to mount a chair. Taking- one fore 

foot in your hand place it on top of the chair 

back and soon he will hold it there if caressed. 



42 ackerman's 



Trick No* 24 — Teaching the Horse to Make a 
Figure "4" With the Front Feet. 

Teach the horse to mount the box by follow- 
ing- directions for Trick No. 5. Lift the rig-ht 
foot and place it just above the left knee in 
such a manner that the leg* lies between the 
fetlock and the heel. A little pulverized rosin 
will be useful on the outside of the knee joint 
to prevent slipping - . Caress the horse when 
he will hold his foot in this position. 

Trick No* 35 — Teaching the Hoise to Pose, with 

One Foot on Your Knee, the Other on 

Your Shoulder* 

Numbers 5 and 33 should be learned before 
this trick is taug-ht. Place your rig-ht foot 
forward with the knee slig*htly bent. Take 
the horse's foot in your rig-ht hand and place 
it on your limb just below the body. Say, 
"Come up," and he will lift the other foot. 
Take this in your hand and place it on your 
shoulder. The horse will soon learn to pose 
in this position. Then caress him. 

Trick No* 36 — Teaching a Horse to Shake 
Himself* 

This makes a g-ood trick taken just after 
performing- No. 16. When the horse rises 
after performing- that trick, tell him, "Now, 
shake yourself." Prick g*ently on the top of 



SECRETS REVEALED. 43 

the shoulder with a pencil point until he 
shakes himself. Then caress. 

Trick No* 37 — Teaching the Horse to Ring 
the Fire BelL 

Tricks Nos. 17 and 18 should be learned be- 
fore this is tried. Use a small cow-bell and 
fasten a strap, or thick, firm cloth, about two 
inches long-, and the width of the bell-eye, 
throug-h the eye of the bell, making- a strong- 
mouth-piece. Hold the bell in your hand 
and tell the horse to take and ring- it as thoug-h 
the building- was on fire. Make him shake 
the bell by following* directions for tricks 1 
and 3. Always caress when horse does well. 

Trick No* 38 — Teaching the Horse to Ring 
the Auction BelL 

After Trick No. 37 is learned, hold the bell 
toward the horse's mouth. Say to him: " We 
are having- an auction and want you to ring- 
the bell." When he takes the bell start to 
walk, saying-, "Come on," and shouting*, 
"Auction, auction." The motion of the horse 
while walking- will ring- the bell. Caress the 
horse when throug-h with the trick. 

Trick No. 39— Teaching the Horse to Open the Box 
and Bring Handkerchief* 

This trick should be tried only after the 

horse will perform Nos. 17, 27 and 32. Place 



44 ackerman's 



a handkerchief in the box and close the lid. 
Stand beside the horse some distance from the 
box and facing- from it. Give the command: 
44 Come around and open the box and bring- 
me my handkerchief." Repeat until he obeys. 
He will combine the three commands he 
already knows, and this trick is then complete. 
Do not omit the command, " Pick up my hand- 
kerchief and bring* it to me," whenever the 
horse opens the box. Caress when w^ell done. 

Trick No* 40— Teaching the Horse to Select and Bring 
a Designated Object, 

Trick No. 17 should be learned before this 
one is tried. Place a handkerchief and a hat 
on the floor about six feet apart. Stand with 
your horse about eig*ht feet from the handker- 
chief and at rig-lit angles with the line of hat 
and handkerchief. Say to the horse: "Go, 
bring- me my hat" At the some time guide 
him with the whip in the direction of the hat. 
When he brings the hat, caress him, and 
replace it on the floor. Then, with the horse 
in the same position as when making- the first 
request, say: "Go pick up my handkerchief 
and fetch it here; " g-uiding- him at the same 
time in the direction of it. Continue this 
treatment until the horse will bring- either at 
command, without use of whip. 



SECRETS REVEALED. 45 

Trick No. 4L- Representing a Horse Sick With Colic. 
Xst Stages* 

After the horse will perform No. 16 readily, 
make him lie down. Tie a small rope around 
his neck and run it through his mouth from 
under side to upper. Standing* behind the 
horse's hips grasp the rope in one hand and 
slap the horse gently with the other hand, 
saying-, "Get up." When he starts to 
rise pull on the rope, thus bringing his head 
around to the shoulder in such a manner that 
rising- will be impossible. Then loosen the 
rope and let the horse lie down. When he lies 
down, caress him. Sit down on his body just 
in front of the hips, and the horse will groan. 
Caress again. If yon want him to rise, walk 
quickly to the front, saying- when near the 
head, "That will do." By carefully observ- 
ing- this direction and making* the horse lie 
down immediately if he gets up when you are 
not in this position, you can teach him not to 
rise, whatever you may say or do, unless you 
walk to his head. 

You can teach the horse to throw the head 
around to one side as a horse will when sick 
with the colic, by pricking him near the 
shoulder while sitting on his bod}\ 



4C AC KKK MAN'S 



Trick No* 42, —Representation of a Horse Sick With Colic* 
2nd Stages* 

Where the horse appears so weak that rising 
is impossible. 

When No. 36 has been well taught, gradu- 
uall}^ continue the severity of the treatment, 
cracking- the whip, gently at first, and increas- 
ing gradually until you can make a great dis- 
turbance with whip and voice, urging the 
horse to rise, and even getting him upon his 
knees, only to fall back again. 

Should the horse really attempt to rise or 
hold his head from the floor, when he should 
lie flat, you can make him lie flat again, 
by grasping the upper hind foot 
by the fetlock and bending the joints of the 
hind leg until the foot is well up toward the 
body then raising up on the foot. 

To make the horse paw with the front feet 
as though in pain, prick with a sharp- 
ened stick on the front legs. 

To make him kick with his hind feet as 
though nearly dead, prick on the hind legs 
with a sharpened stick. This stick may also 
be used in teaching the horse to throw his 
head to one side while the Keeper stands 
behind him. 

After these different motions have been 
taught with the stick, the whip should be sub- 



SECRETS REVEALED. 



stituted and pointed in the same directions 
as the stick, to make the horse change from 
one moao^i to another. When the horse is 
well under training* for this trick, should he 
throw his front foot forward as though to rise, 
touch the front leg* near the foot with the whip 
and even thoug-h you shout, •' Get up," he will 
withdraw the foot, for this has been the signal 
to lie down. In teaching* this trick do not 
omit the caress for every point g*ained. 

Trick No* 43 —Teaching the Horse to Kneel* 

First teach the horse No. 16, to lie down. 
Using* a bridle at first, command the horse to 
get down on his knees. When he does this, 
prevent his lying down b} 7 holding the head 
toward the front until he is accustomed to the 
position. When he will retain the position, 
caress him. 

Trick No* 44— Teaching the Horse to Walk on His Knees* 

After teaching No. 43 thoroughly, continue 
to this trick while the horse is kneeling. 

Move the horse's head slightly to one side 
with the bridle, as when leading in a circle. 

When the horse makes the slightest move- 
ment forward with his knees, caress him. 

Should he start to rise, tap the legs with 
the whip and bring him down. Soon the 
horse will walk on his knees. 



48 ackerman's 



Trick No* 45 —Teaching a Horse to Sit Up* 

After teaching* No. 16, make the horse lie 
down. Put the bridle on, and holding- by 
the bits, repeat the words, '"Sit up." When 
the horse starts to rise say, '"Whoa," crowd- 
ing" backward on the bit, thus curving- the 
neck, and preventing* the horse from standing-. 
Caress when the correct position is gained, as 
in all other tricks, and soon the horse will 
learn to sit up when commanded. 

Trick No* 46— Teaching a Horse to Turn Around 
By Command* When at a Distance* 

After teaching" No. 12, take the horse into 
an inclosure and place him with his head in 
one corner. Stand within reach with a long- 
whip. Call, " Come here.'" When the horse 
turns toward you, say ''Whoa," then, speak- 
ing- the words, " Turn around," motion with 
the whip so that the horse will continue turn- 
ing* until he turns completely around. 

When this trick is thoroug-hly learned the 
horse will turn around when at a distance. 

Trick No* 47 — Teaching the Horse to Shoot a Gun* 

Load a gun with a blank cartridg-e, cock it, 
and tie one corner of a handkerchief around 
the trig-g-er, leaving* the remainder of the hand- 
kerchief lying- out for a mouth-piece. Fasten 
the gun solidly on a box or table about three 



SECRETS REVEALED. 49 



feet high. Command the horse to shoot the 
gun. After he learns the handkerchief trick, 
No. 17, he will readily grasp this handker- 
chief in his teeth and pull on it and so shoot 
the gun. The horse should be accustomed to 
the sound of the report from a gun before this 
trick is tried. 

Trick No* 48— Teaching a Horse the Bar Trick* 

Have the horse thoroughly taught to lie 
down. (No. 16.) Holding a bar about one 
foot from the ground, have the horse run and 
jump over it. Gradual^ raise the bar until 
the horse will jump it" when raised three 
feet from the ground. Now hold the bar a 
little higher than the horse's head and have 
him run under it. Gradually lower the bar 
until the horse will stoop and run under it. 
Then lowering the bar to a level with the 
horse's breast, have the horse run to it. He 
will stop. Then make him lie down. When 
these three tricks are learned they may be 
combined in one trick, as follows: 

The Horse-trainer announces that the horse 
will perform the jumping trick, going three 
times over the bar. The Bar-holder then runs 
in making a bet with the Trainer that the 
horse will not jump the bar. He then turns 
to the horse and promises him a reward if he 
will run under the bar the second time and lie 
down under it the third time. 



SO ackerman's 



The Bar-holder holds the bar in the three 
positions mentioned, and the horse performs 
as first taught, causing" a laugh at the expense 
of the Horse-trainer. 

Trick No. 49— Representation of a Dying Horse 
on the Battlefield* 

Have the horse accustomed to the sound of a 
report from a gun, and thoroughly taught to 
lie down. (No. 16.) Fire a gun loaded with 
blank cartridges, and at the same time make a 
ver} 7 imperative command to the horse to "Lie 
down.'* Repeat until the horse will lie down 
at the report of a gun, without command. 

Then teach the horse to stretch out legs and 
neck as though dead, as in colic tricks. ( Nos. 
41 and 42. ) To make the horse stop breath- 
ing, press with the foot or butt of the whip 
between the back rib and flank. At the first 
indication of suspended breathing, caress the 
horse and try again. He will learn to hold his 
breath a short time. This trick should be 
tried only after the horse has learned several 
others, and will then call for patience and per- 
severance to achieve success. 

Trick No* 50— Teaching a Horse to Stand and Walk 
on the Hind Feet* 

Use the halter and a whip with cracker on. 
Stand about six feet in front of the horse and 



SECRETS REVEALED. 51 



crack the whip under his head, around the 
neck and breast. When the horse rears on the 
hind leg's caress him. Repeat until the horse 
will maintain an uprig-ht position. By con- 
tinuing- the motion with the whip, occasionally 
tapping his breast you will succeed in making- 
the horse walk while in this position. 

Trick No* 5 \~ Teaching a Horse to Walk Lame* 

Make the horse hold up one front foot by 
tapping- it with a stick, then start him to 
walking- and say to him, "Go lame." Just 
as this foot touches the ground tap it with the 
butt of whip, or stick. This makes him raise 
it quickly and hesitate about putting- it down 
ag-ain, and produces the desired limping- effect. 
After this trick is learned, g-ive the command, 
and hold the whip near the front foot while 
walking- beside the horse. 

Trick No* 52— Teaching a Horse to Reverse the Position of 
His Front Feet Without Raising Them From the Floor* 
In performing- this feat it is necessary to 
make the horse walk in a semi-circle, with his 
hind feet, thus reversing* the position of the 
body without moving- either front foot from 
the floor. Thus, if the horse stands facing- 
the east, with the left foot forward, and walk 
in a semi-circle toward the north and east 
with the hind feet until he faces the west, the 



ackekman's 



right foot will stand in front of the left. 

To do this place the horse with one front 
foot ahead of the other. Stand beside the foot 
that is back. Hold your hand on the horse's 
breast to stead} 7 the front feet and with the 
other hand make the horse step from you with 
the hind feet. Change to the other side of the 
horse and make him step back again without 
moving- his front feet. When the horse will 
take this one step and return, caress him, then 
have him take two steps and return, and so on. 
gradually increasing* the number of steps taken 
until you succeed in completely reversing- the 
position of the horse. 

Caress for every step in the rig-lit direction. 

Trick No* 53— Teaching the Horse to Waltz* 
Use a surcing-le with ring attached, and 
fasten around the horse with the ring- just on 
top of his back. Tie a rope to the bridle bit 
and run it through the ring on the surcingle. 
Holding the long end of the rope in your hand 
start the horse around the ring and draw on 
the rope whenever you want him to circle. 

Trick No. 54— Teaching the Horse to Appear Like 
An Old, Crippled Animal* 

Stretch the left fore foot forward and out- 
ward until it stands about 18 inches from the 
right foot. Train the horse until he will 
retain this position with the front feet, then 



SECRETS REVEALED. 53 

caress. Move the rig-lit hind foot backward 
and rest it on the toe, caressing- when the 
horse will hold this position. This will g-ive 
a horse the appearance of an old, tired animal. 
Trick No* 55 — Teaching a Horse to Sit Down. 

This being- an unnatural movement to the 
horse, needs patience and perseverance on the 
part of the Trainer before success will be 
achieved. 

Fasten a strap around the ankle of left hind 
foot, pass this over the horse's back from rig-ht 
to left. Standing* on the left side of the horse 
grasp the strap in your rig-ht hand. Stand 
the horse with his hind feet on a thick bed of 
straw. Pull on the strap until the left hind 
foot is broug-ht well up toward the bod}^. At 
the same time crowd with your body firmly 
ag-ainst the horse, repeating-, "Sit down." 
The strap will draw the horse toward you and 
enable you to steady him down with your body 
to a sitting position. Caress and repeat, and 
after a while the horse will sit down if tapped 
on the left hind foot when the command, " Sit 
down" is given. 

Trick No* 56 —Teaching a Horse to Throw His Rider* 

Prick the horse with a spur or horse shoe 

nail, and at the same time make some peculiar 

noise with the mouth, always being- careful to 

use the same expression. " Whist," will do. 



54 ackerman's 



When the horse makes a slight jump or kicks 
a little, the rider should fall off and caress 
him. Soon the horse will learn that when this 
expression, " Whist," is used he must throw 
his rider, and he will devise ways and means 
to unseat the steadiest horseman. 



U/ \to W 

\* T V* 



INDEX. 

£$&€$€ PAGE 

Introductory Remarks. - 5 

Three Fundamental Principles. - - - 7 

Directions for Breaking- a Colt to Drive. 7 

Instructions for making- and using the Throwing Rig. - 11 

" " and using the W. - 14 

" " the Kicking- Rig. - 15 

" " a Muzzle for Biters and Cribbers. 15 

" for Breaking a Horse of Pulling on the Halter. 16 

Directions for Breakiug a Saddle Horse. - 17 

" " Handling- Horse's Feet. - 17 

" " Distinguishing- a Horse's Ag-e. - 18 

The principal Causes of vicious Habits in Horses. - 19 

Remarks on Training the Trick Horse. - 22 

Trick No. 1, teaching the horse to say no. - 24 

2, " " paw. - - 24 

" 3, " " to say yes. - 25 

" 4, " " yawn. - - 26 

" 5, " " stand with the front feet 

on a box. - 26 

44 6, 44 " stand on three feet. - 26 

7, " " kick. - - 27 

8, " " bite, - - 27 
44 9, " " kiss. - - 27 
" 10, " " leave oats untouched. 28 
44 11, " " follow. - - 28 
" 12, " " come from a distance 

when commanded, 29 

" 13, " " balk, with halter, 30 

" 14, " " tip a chair over, 31 

" 15, " " play watch dog", 31 

" 16, " " lie down, - - 32 

44 17, 44 44 bring handkerchief, 33 

44 18, " 44 remove your hat. - 34 

44 19, 44 4 * awaken you, - 34 

44 20, 44 " roll the barrel, - 35 

44 21, 44 44 stand the barrel on end, 35 
44 22, ' 4 44 stand with all four feet 

stretched out, - 36 
44 23, 44 4< stand with all four feet 

tog-ether, - 36 
44 24, 44 44 stand with his hind leg's 

crossed, - 37 



56 



25, " " stand on a plank & teeter, 37 

2<>. " " climb stairs, - - 38 

27, " " open the box, - 30 

28, " " close the box, - - 39 
~ >( >, " " strike your foot, - 40 

30, " " untie a handkerchief from 

his leg - , - _40 

31, " " pick up package, whip or 

bridle, - - 40 

32, change position from one 
side of trainer to the other, 41 

33, pose, one foot on chair seat 

the other on chair back, 41 

34, " " make a figure four (4) with 

his front legs, - 42 

35, pose, one foot on your knee 
the other on your shoulder, 42 

36, " " shake himself, - 42 

37, " " ring the fire-bell, - 43 

38, " " ring the auction-bell, 43 

39, " " bring a handkerchief 

from the box, - 43 

40, " " select and bring a desig- 
nated object, - 44 

41, representing horse sick with colic — 1st stage, 45 
" " " —2d stage, 46 

43, teaching a horse to kneel, - 47 

" " walk on his knees, 47 

" " sit up, - - 48 

" turn round by command 

when at a diLtance, 48 

11 " shoot a gun, - 48 

»« " the bar trick, - - 49 

49, representation of a dying horse on battlefield, 50 

'• 50, teaching horse to stand & walk on hind feet, 50 

" 51, " " walk lame, - - 51 

" 52. " " reverse the position of his 

front feet without raising them from the floor, 51 
" 53, teaching a horse to waltz, - - 52 

" 54, " " appear like an old, crip- 

pled animal, - 52 

•« 55, " " sit down, - - 53 

M 56, " " throw his rider, - 53 



.. 


41, 


a 


42, 


u 


43, 


i. 


44, 


a 


45, 


(< 


46, 


n 


47, 


it 


48, 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 863 292 7 



l 



